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MATTHEW WAYNE KEEL wanted for animal cruelty - Dogs found dead in the freezer

Updated: Apr 3, 2024

- Florida, USA -

 

~ Update: April 3, 2024

 

Justin McClure, the lead Animal Compliance Investigator on the case, kindly responded to my email and provided me with some updates.

 

Mr. McClure tells me that all the dogs who were removed from KEEL’s residence were taken to Marion County Animal Services where they were evaluated and treated by their medical team.

 

The body of the deceased dog who was found inside the residence was sent to the University of Florida for a necropsy and results showed the furvictim “was also suffering from neglect.”

 

Mr. McClure also said that “Subsequent to the confiscation of these dogs, Marion County presented their case to the Honorable Judge Leann Mackey Barnes where custody of all the dogs was remanded to the county, and Keel was enjoined from owning any animals of any kind per Florida Statute 828.073.”

 

In the email, Mr. McClure also provided an important piece of information of which I was not aware. KEEL “is listed on Marion County’s searchable civil enjoinment database” meaning that “Anyone with internet access can compare potential animal owners with potential animal abusers. Keeping this list up to date is just one more step our organization can take to ensure those convicted in civil courts do not take ownership of another animal.”

 

Since Animal Services were awarded custody of the fifty-three Voiceless Victims, twenty-three of them “have found placement through multiple rescue partners who stepped up and transferred them from our facility.” Furthermore,  Animal Services have been able to find new homes via adoption for an additional nineteen dogs with the county citizens. There are now eleven dogs remaining who are available for adoption or transfer to a rescue partner.

 

Last, but not least, Ms. Stacie Causey, the Marion County Public Relations Manager, kindly provided me with some pictures which I have added to the gallery below.

Ms. Causey tells me that “Shelters in nearly every community are experiencing the critical capacity levels we are facing” and that they have animals in their care who have been there for more than a year.

 

Please, allow me to stress the importance of adopting, donating, fostering, or volunteering.

Also, allow me to suggest visiting Marion County Animal Services’ website to see how you can get involved.  

If you wish, and can afford to contribute to helping Animal Services, you can visit MCAS General Wish List. Thank you!

 

~ Original story:


The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is reaching out to the community in hopes of finding 55-years-old MATTHEW WAYNE KEEL (pictured).

 

The sheriff’s office said KEEL is wanted on a felony warrant for twenty-three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and nineteen counts of animal cruelty.

 

On February 1, 2024, deputies responded to a property in the 5700 block of NW 6th Street at the request of Marion County Animal Control.

 

Officials found what the sheriff’s office described as “a disturbing scene.”

Fifty-three dogs were found living in “deplorable conditions” and in “dire need of medical attention.”

 

Sadly, officers also found one dead dog and many other dead dogs were discovered in the freezer.

 

Detective Burgess was able to obtain a warrant for KEEL’s arrest but authorities have not been able to locate him and believe he may have left Florida.

 

As stated in the press release by the sheriff’s office, “These innocent animals deserve justice”, KEEL “needs to be held accountable for his actions”, and if you have any information on his whereabouts, “it's time to speak up and turn him in!”

 

Please, submit your tips by contacting the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) - 732 - 9111.

Alternatively, you can submit your tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352 - 368 - STOP, referencing 24-12. Thank you!

 

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 Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Link included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

  

 

KEEL’s photo shared from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.


Pictures of the Voiceless Victims were provided to Voice For Us by the Marion County Public Relations Manager. 



 
 
 

ANGEL ENRRIQUE BURGOS arrested for stabbing two Chihuahuas who died from drowning in their own blood

- Florida, USA -

 

“There’s time in your life that you see or hear things that you just can’t believe that a person would do to another person or to a defenseless little animal.”

 

That’s what Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said before showing the photo of 21-years-old ANGEL ENRRIQUE BURGOS (pictured).

 

BURGOS is accused of viciously murdering two innocent and defenseless male Chihuahuas named Casper and Lincoln.

 

On March 26, 2024, the Haines City Police Department requested assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit regarding a report of animal cruelty.

 

An investigator then responded to the Hidden Lake Preserve neighborhood in Haines City and met with several witnesses. The investigator learned from the witnesses that they heard dogs yelping and saw BURGOS carrying a small dog to a pond and striking the dog multiple times.

One of the witnesses further said that they saw BURGOS throw the dog toward the water. The witness later found the dog at the pond, lifeless.

 

According to the press release by the sheriff’s office, the investigator recovered surveillance footage from several residents which showed exactly what witnesses described. BURGOS could be seen carrying two dogs to the pond and the furbabies could be heard loudly yelping. Both dogs were found dead at the pond.

 

Casper and Lincoln’s small bodies were sent to Veterinarian Doctor Centonze for a necropsy.

 

Doctor Centonze reported that Lincoln and Casper had puncture wounds “consistent with a sharp object”. Casper sustained seven (7) punctures, while Lincoln had fourteen (14) punctures.

Doctor Centonze further reported that Casper and Lincoln died from internal bleeding in the chest area which caused them to suffocate and drown on their own blood.

“Doctor Centonze advised this was a painful, horrible death”, stated the release.

 

When I asked the sheriff’s office how old Casper and Lincoln were, I was told: “According to family, Lincoln was about 5 or 6. Casper was about 3-4. The Vet who did the necropsy said they were both younger dogs, at least 3+ years old.”

 

The detective’s investigation determined that BURGOS “knowingly, willingly and unlawfully, used a sharp object to stab repeatedly” Casper and Lincoln causing them “great pain and suffering”. BURGOS’ vile and despicable actions led to Casper and Lincoln’s cruel death.

From the investigation it also emerged that BURGOS “attempted to conceal the incident by discarding clothing items and a knife inside trash bins.” He then used “a water hose and brush to clean the driveway to hide evidence of the incident.” Additionally, BURGOS “did attempt to alter, destroy, conceal and remove evidence located on the driveway area to prevent proper investigation.” Finally, BURGOS “did improperly discard two dogs he stabbed to death in a place where such carcasses could be devoured by beast or bird. The suspect did not bury at least two feet below ground or burn. The suspect did illegally dump the two dogs onto property owned by Hidden Lake Preserve.”

 

The murderer was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center by Haines City Police Department. He was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty, tampering with evidence, two counts of improper disposal of deceased animals, and two counts of illegal dumping. The murderer also has two prior arrests for battery.

 

The murderer’s next court date is slated for April 30, 2024, at 8:15 a.m.

 

In a statement, Sheriff Judd said: “This behavior on Burgos’ part is disgusting. He caused the pain, suffering and death of two dogs for which he had a moral responsibility to nurture and provide care. Human depravity like this still shocks me. There is no excuse.”

 

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the official press release by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Link included.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

BURGOS’ mugshot shared from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office





 
 
 

BRANDI BREANN LAUGHLIN and JUSTIN ROBERT BUCKNER arrested after six dogs rescued from a vacant home

- North Carolina, USA -

 

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-years-old BRANDI BREANN LAUGHLIN and 31-years-old JUSTIN ROBERT BUCKNER (both pictured), of Forest City.

 

On March 22, 2024, deputies with the Rutherford County Road Patrol division responded to a home in the area of Newton Cole Road and Jacobs Lane to investigate a possible trespassing call.

 

While in the area, deputies saw multiple dogs outside a residence where the previous tenant was evicted in late February.

According to the media release by the sheriff’s office, the dogs appeared to be malnourished and were not being properly taken care of.

One of the dogs was “in a make-shift kennel that had no door and was wired shut.” The dog had feces all over the kennel.

 

Other dogs could be heard barking inside the home and upon checking, deputies found a dog who was in a crate that had been zip-tied shut and had a blanket over it.

 

Rutherford County Animal Control was called in and took a total of six dogs to the Rutherford County Animal Shelter.

 

Deputies were able to identify LAUGHLIN and BUCKNER as the dogs’ guardians and secured warrants on them.

On March 23, 2024, deputies arrested BUCKNER at a residence on Jacobs Lane. He was also found in possession of methamphetamine.

The following day, at the same residence deputies found LAUGHLIN “hiding underneath a blanket” and placed her under arrest.

 

LAUGHLIN was charged with six counts of cruelty to animals and was given a $4,500 secured bond.

BUCKNER was also charged with six counts of animal cruelty and in addition, he was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possess drug paraphernalia not for marijuana. He was held without bond in reference to a pre-trial release.

 

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Voice For Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the official press release by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

LAUGHLIN and BUCKNER’s mugshots shared from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office




 
 
 

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